Foldable wheelbarrow



May 31, 1949. TOTH 2,471,462

FOLDABLE WHEELBARROW Filed May 10,1946

INVENTOR Jaizn J- 70272 87,160, 7%) and ATTORNEY5 Patented May 31, 1949UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FOLDABLE WHEELBARROW John J. Toth,Bridgeport, Conn.

Application May 10, 1946, Serial No. 668,899

12 Claims. 1

This invention relates to wheelbarrows, particularly to an improved formof wheelbarrow adapted to be folded together.

Wheelbarrows, because of their irregular shape, present a relativelydifficult problem in the development of a construction therefor whichcan be conveniently folded together to a fiat form adapted for shipping,packaging or storage. Numerous proposals have been made heretofore forconstruction of folding wheelbarrows. However, in most of theseproposals, various parts had to be demounted, requiring considerableeffort and manipulation in order to fold the structure together or setit up for use. In those constructions which did not require demountingof parts thereof, the operations required for collapsing the structureor unfolding it for use were relatively numerous, complicated, andinconvenient, and the mechanism was relatively expensive and difficultto manufacture.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a foldablewheelbarrow of sturdy, simple and economical construction having aminimum number of parts.

Another object is to provide a collapsible Wheelbarrow which can befolded together or unfolded for use, with minimum effort ormanipulation, and with utmost convenience.

In conjunction with the foregoing objects, it is also an object toprovide a wheelbarrow having novel mechanism for effecting the foldinand unfolding thereof, and for locking the structure in unfoldedcondition by manipulation of a single operator.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel means forattaching the frame of the wheelbarrow to a wheel and axle.

Still another object is to provide a side frame for a wheelbarrow madeessentially of a single strip of metal.

Briefly stated, the wheelbarrow in accordance with my inventioncomprises a pair of side frames secured to a wheel and axle on oppositesides of the Wheel by an articulated attachment so that the side framesare adapted to fold together against each other by a pivotal movementabout the attachment of the frames to the axle. The bottom panel of thewheelbarrow folds up against the side panel or panels mounted in theside frames, and the front panel which connects the frames collapsestogether in the nature of a toggle linkage. In addition to thecollapsible front panel, the side frames are interconnected by frameworkin conjunction with the front panel maintains the frames equidistantfrom the plane of the wheel during the folding or unfolding operation.The collapsible framework likewise includes a single operator formoving, together with the front panel, to collapsed position, and forlooking it in an expanded condition for use. The side frames arepreferably constructed of a single metal strip, as for example, metaltubing or rod as hereinafter described.

In setting up the wheelbarrow for use it is merely necessary to move theside frames in a divergent direction, expanding the collapsibleframework and front panel, whereupon the bottom panel is lowered uponthe framework, and the latter, together with the front panel, is lockedin expanded position by simple manipulation of a handle. In order tofold the structure together, the bottom panel is first folded againstthe side frames, the locking device is released, and by a simplemanipulation of the same handle, the framework, together with the frontpanel is 001- lapsed and the side frames can be moved together againsteach other so that the wheelbarrow is folded together in fiat conditionsuitable for packaging, shipping or storage.

A preferred embodiment of my invention is illustrated in theaccompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the wheelbarrow set up for use.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the wheelbarrow with the bottom panel removedto show the underlying framework, and the folding position in dottedlines.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary perspective of the toggle linkages.

As illustrated in the drawings, a preferred embodiment of thewheelbarrow in accordance with my invention comprises a wheel l0 mountedon axle ll having a pair of bearing members l2 in which the axle rotatessecured on the axle adjacent opposite sides of the wheel by conventionalmeans, as for example by cotter pins l4 and washers l3. Each of thebearing members l2 includes an annular groove I5 in its exteriorsurface.

A pair of side frames [6 each include a longitudinal frame member I!terminating at its rear end in a handle 18 and having a supporting'legl9 adjacent the base of the handle. At its forward end, the frameincludes a diagonal brace 20 forming an acute angle with the framemember ll, said brace being extended rearwardly to form a rim 2|conforming to the shape of the upper member ll of the side frame. Theside frames l6 are attached to bearing members l2 respectively byengagement of brace 2|] and frame member I! with the groove 15, thebearing member l2 lying within the acute angle formed by thelongitudinal frame member [1 and the brace 20, and being loosely heldtherein by means of a strut 23 spanning the angle formed by the braceand frame member and likewise engaging the groove l5. Engagement of thegrooves l by aforesaid portions of the side frames H5 is suificien-tlyloose to permit articulation of the side frames relative to the axle sothat they can be pivotally moved in an axial plane of tthe axle todivergent position for use, or folded together against each other bymoving them toward the plane of the wheel.

The side frames are advantageously constructed of a single strip ofmetal e. g. rod, tubing, or

flat or angular strip. Preferably they are made of split metal tubing,the split side of the longitudinal member IT and of rim 2| facing eachother to form a. groove for receiving the edges of side panel 22 mountedtherein, as shown in Fig. 1. The longitudinal frame member H is formedby a part of the strip intermediate its ends, a portion thereof adjacentone end of the strip being reversed upon itself to form the handle If!and the end of the strip being bent downward and then upward, with itsend attached at 24 by welding or other conventional fastening to theunderside of the longitudinal. member so as to. form the leg IS. Theopposite end of the metal; strip is bent to form an acute angle with thelongitudinal portion thus forming diagonal brace 28 and then bent intothe shape of the upper edge of the side panel 22 to form the rim 2;|,the end of the tubing being welded or otherwise fastened at. 26 to theupper side of the longitudinal frame. member l! at the base of thehandle l8. Preferably, the brace and the forward end of frame member I!are bent inward to provide additional space between the side frames atthe front end of the side panels 22.

.The forward edges of the side panels 22, mounted in side frame It, areinterconnected by a front panel 21 comprising a pair of narrow endsections 28 rigidly secured to side panels 22, and connected by hinges29 to. a pair of middle sections 34 which are joined together at acentral hinge 3|. toggle linkage joining. the front ends of the sidepanels, movable to aligned position in which the panel; is flat for use,and collapsible toward the rear of the wheelbarrow when the side framesl6;- are moved together to folded position. The

front panel 2'! provides a rigid connection between the side frames,preventing angular movement of one frame relative'to the other about theaxis of-the wheel.

In accordance'with my invention, the bottom panel of the wheelbarrow ishinged to the side frames at the lower edge of a side panel 22' so as;to, fold upward against the side frame. Preferably the bottom panel isformed in two sections 32 adapted to lie next to each other whenunfolded andrespectively connected to side frames l6 at the lower edgesof, side panels 22 hinges 33. When the bottom panel is unfolded; itsforward edges preferably abut front panel: 21, thus preventing'collapseof the latter as in: the folding operation.

A. collapsible framework is provided in accordance: with my inventionfor-interconnecting. the side; frames. It so as to, maintain themequidistant from the plane of the wheel I0 during folding The middlesections 34 form a I or unfolding operation, and likewise providing asupport for the lower panel sections 32.

As illustrated in the drawings, the collapsible frame Work comprises aplurality of toggle linkages which expand to aligned condition when thefront panel 21 is similarly expanded. For example, the frame workcomprises a toggle linkage 34 having a central pivot 35, and having itsends attached respectively at pivots 38 to frame members adjacent thefront panel 21; and. a second toggle linkage 31, having a central pivot38, is attached by pivots 39 to the frame members adjacent the rear endof the wheelbarrow. In order to maintain the central pivots and 38 ofthe aforesaid toggle linkages, and the central hinge 3| of the frontpanel 21 in alignment, a rigid rod 40 extends through collars 4|, 42 and43 respectively secured to the lower end of hinge 3| of the front panel2'! and to the central pivots 35 and 38 of toggle linkages 34 and 37..Preferably the forward end of the rod is fastened to collar 4| on frontpanel 21 so as to be movable longitudinally of the wheelbarrow withsaid. hinge when the front panel 21 is collapsed or expanded, and forthis purpose, the:

end of the rodmay be provided with a loop 44' engaging collar 4|.Collars 42 and 43 are slidable on the rod 40- to permit toggle linkages34 and 31 to collapse and expand together with the front panel 21.

A. pair of lateral projections 48 and 47 are provided on the rod 48, sospaced as to enga ethe front side of collars 42 and 43 respectively whenthe toggle linkages 34 and 3'! and the front panel 21 are fully expandedin aligned condition. Thus, when the bottom panel sections 32 are foldedagainst side panels 22, rod 40 can be pulled backward by means of ahandle 45 at its rear end to collapse the front panel 21, projections 46and 41 initiating similar collapse of toggle linkages 34 and; 3-1,whereupon the side frames I6 can be moved together to folded position.

Means. provided in accordance with the invention for releasably lockingthe front panel and collapsible framework, interconnecting the sideframes, in expanded position for use, is preferably operated bymanipulation, e. g. rotation, of the rod 40. The framework can be lockedin expanded condition for example by locking the central pivots 35- and38 of toggle linkages 34 and 31 and the central hinge 3| of front panel21 in the spaced position on the rod 48 which they occupy when saidtoggles and front panel are fully expanded. Thus, as illustrated in thedrawings, the locking means comprises a prong 48. on collar 42 and asimilar prong 49 on collar 43, each of said. prongs extending downwardaround one side of rod 48 on the front side of the corresponding collar,and spaced from the collar so as to form recesses adapted to receiveprojections 46- and 41 respectively. Thus, by rotation of the rod 40 inone direction, projections 46. and 41 can be moved upward between theprongsv and. collars to hold the latter (and hence, central pivots 35and 38 of toggle linkages 34- and 3'!) infixed position on rod 43, theend' of the rod being held in fixed relation to the hinge 3| at thecenter of front panel 21 by engagement of the loop 44 on the forward endof the rod with collar 4|, the loop 44 sliding aroundthe collar 4 uponrotation of the rod. When the projections 45 and 41 are thus engagedbetween collars 42 and 43 and. prongs 48 and 49 the toggle linkages 34*and 31 are prevented from collapsing.

When it isdesiredto release the framework for 5, folding, the rod 40 isrotated in the opposite direction through a predetermined angle (forexample, a quarter-turn) by means of handle 45, so as to moveprojections 46 and 41 beyond the ends of prongs 48 and 49. When the rodis thus rotated, central pivots 35 and 38 of the toggles 34 and 31 arereleased to slide rearwardly on rod 40, and the front panel 21 andtoggles 34 and 31 can be collapsed by pulling the rod 40 backward on theWheelbarrow.

It will be seen that the wheelbarrow in accordance with my inventionprovides an exceedingly sturdy, economical and simple structure,convenient and cheap to manufacture, and adapted to be folded togetherto a fiat form suitable for shipping or storage, merely by raising thebottom panels against the sides, rotating a rod to unlock the framework,and collapsing the side frames together by pulling the rod. To set upthe wheelbarrow for use, it is merely necessary to move the side framesapart until the front panel is expanded to aligned position, lower thebottom panels against the supporting framework, and lock the frameworkin expanded position by rotation of the aforesaid rod through apredetermined angle less than a full turn.

Variations and modifications may be made within the scope of thisinvention and portions of the improvements may be used without others.

I claim:

1. In a folding wheelbarrow, a wheel and axle; a pair of bearingsmounted on the axle on opposite sides of the wheel, each of saidbearings having a circumferential groove on its outer surface; a pair ofside frames, each including at its front end a bearing-encirclin portionloosely engaging the groove on the bearing to maintain engagement of thelatter with the side frame but enabling pivotal movement of said framesabout the bearings in convergent and divergent directions, in an axialplane of the wheel; and means interconnecting said frames formaintaining them equidistant from the plane of the wheel and forpreventing angular displacement of one frame relative to the other aboutthe axis of the wheel.

2, In a folding wheelbarrow, a wheel and axle; a pair of side framesattached to the axle on opposite sides of the wheel, said frames beingpivotally movable about their point of attachment to the axle, inmutually convergent and divergent directions in an axial plane of thewheel; a front panel connecting said side frame, having a central hingeand including a pair of parallel hinges adjacent said frames, said panelcollapsing as a toggle linkage upon convergent movement of the frames;and a collapsible framework interconnectin said frames for maintainingthem equidistant from the plane of the wheel.

3. In a folding wheelbarrow, a wheel and axle; a pair of side framesattached to the axle on opposite sides of the wheel, said frames beingpivotally movable about their point of attachment to,

the axle, in mutually convergent and divergent directions in an axialplane of the wheel; a front panel connecting said frames, having acentral hinge and including a pair of parallel hinges adjacent saidframes, said panel collapsing as a toggle linkage upon convergentmovement of the frames; a plurality of toggle linkages interconnectingsaid frames at spaced intervals rearwardly of said front panel, saidtoggle linkages and said panel expanding to aligned condition when saidframes are moved to divergent position for ing; and means formaintaining the central hinge of said front panel and the midpoints ofsaid toggle linkages in mutual alignment.

4. In a folding wheelbarrow, a wheel and axle; a pair of side framesattached to the axle on opposite sides of the wheel, said frames beingpivotally movable about their point of attachment to the axle, inmutually convergent and divergent directions in an axial plane of thewheel; a front panel connecting said side frames, having a central hingeand including a pair of parallel hinges adjacent said frames, said panelcollapsing as a toggle linkage upon convergent movement of the frames; acollapsible framework interconnecting said frames for maintaining themequidistant from the plane of the wheel; and means for releasablylocking said front panel in expanded aligned condition so as to hold theframes in divergent position for use.

5. In a folding wheelbarrow, a wheel and axle; a pair of side framesattached to the axle on opposite sides of the wheel, said frames beingpivotally movable about their point of attachment to the axle, inmutually convergent and divergent directions in an axial plane of thewheel; a front;

panel connecting said frames, having a central hinge and including apair of parallel hinges adjacent said frames, said panel collapsing as atoggle linkage upon convergent movement of the frames; a plurality oftoggle linkages interconnecting said frames at spaced intervalsrearwardly of said front panel, said toggle linkages and said panelexpanding to aligned condition when said frames are moved to divergentposition for use, and collapsing simultaneously when said frames aremoved to convergent position for folding; means for maintaining thecentral hinge of said front panel and the midpoints of said togglelinkages in mutual alignment; means for releasably locking said frontpanel and toggle linkages in expanded condition to hold said frames indivergent position for use; and means for moving said panel and saidtoggle linkages toward collapsed position upon release of said lockingmeans.

6. In a folding wheelbarrow, a wheel and axle; a pair of side framesattached to the axle on opposite sides of the wheel, said frames beingpivotally movable about their point of attachment to the axle, inmutually convergent and divergent directions in an axial plane of thewheel; a front panel connecting said frames, having a central hinge andincluding a pair of parallel hinges ad jacent said frames, said panelcollapsing as a toggle linkage upon convergent movement of the frames; aplurality of toggle linkages interconnecting said frames at spacedintervals rearwardly of said front panel, said toggle linkages and saidpanel expanding to aligned condition when said frames are moved todivergent position for use, and collapsing simultaneously when saidframes are moved to convergent position for folding; a rod secured atone end to the midpoint of the base of said front panel, slidablyattached to said toggles at the midpoints thereof; means on said rodengaging said panel and said toggles to move same toward collapsedposition when the rod is pulled rearwardly on the wheelbarrow; and meanson said rod for locking said panel and toggles in expanded conditionupon rotation of the rod in one direction, and releasing the panel andtoggles for folding upon rotation of the rod in the opposite direction.

c argeaposite sides of the wheel, said frames being pivotally movableabout their point of attachment to the axle, in mutually convergent anddivergent directions in an axial plane of the wheel; a front panelconnecting said frames, having a central hinge and including a pair ofparallel hinge adjacent said frames, said panel collapsing as a togglelinkage upon convergent movement of the frames; a plurality of togglelinkages interconnecting said frames at spaced intervals rearwardly ofsaid front panel, said toggle linkages and said panel expanding toaligned condition when said frames are moved to divergent position foruse, and collapsing simultaneously when said frames are moved toconvergent position for folding; a rod secured at one end to themidpoint of the base of said front panel, and slidably attached to saidtoggles at the midpoints thereof, having a handle at its rear end;lateral projections on said rod engaging said toggles for movingtogether with said front panel toward folded position when the rod ispulled rearwardl; on the wheelbarrow; and means on said togglesalternately interlocking with and releasing said projections when thefront panel and toggles are in expanded condition upon rotation of therod in opposite directions through a predetermined angle.

8. In a folding wheelbarrow, a wheel and axle; a pair of side framesattached to the axle on opposite sides of the wheel, said frames beingpivotally movable about their point of attachment to the axle, inmutually convergent and divergent directions in an axial plane of thewheel; a front panel connecting said side frames, having a central hingeand including a pair of parallel hinges adjacent said frames, said panelcollapsing as a toggle linkage upon convergent movement of the frames; acollapsible framework interconnecting said frames for maintaining themequi-distant from the plane of the wheel; and a bottom panel hinged tofold upwardly against a side frame prior to folding movement of saidfront panel and framework.

9. In a folding wheelbarrow, a wheel and axle; a pair of side framesattached to the axle on opposite sides of the wheel, said frames beingpivotally movable about their point of attachment to the axle, inmutually convergent and divergent directions in an axial plane of thewheel; a front panel connecting said frames, having a central hinge andincluding a pair of parallel hinges adjacent said frames, said panelcollapsing as a toggle linkage upon convergent movement of the frames; aplurality of toggle linkages interconnecting said frames at spacedintervals rearwardly of said front panel, said toggle linkages and saidpanel expanding to aligned condition when said frames are moved todivergent position for use, and collapsing simultaneously when saidframes are moved to convergent position for folding; means formaintaining the central hinge of said front panel and the midpoints ofsaid toggle linkages in mutual alignment; and a bottom panel comprisinga pair of sections hinged to said side frames respectively so as to foldupward against the frames prior to collapsing movement of said frontpanel and toggles, said bottom panels being supported in unfoldedposition by said toggles, when the side frames are moved to divergentposition for use.

10. A folding wheelbarrow comprising a wheel and axle; a pair ofbearings secured on the axle on opposite sides of and adjacent thewheel; a pair of side frames each including a side panel,

3 a. handle, a supporting leg and means securing the front of the frameto a bearing on saidaxle; said frames being pivotally movable about saidbearings in convergent and divergent directions in an axial plane of thewheel; a front Panel having a central hinge and hinged to each of saidside panels so as to collapse as a toggle linkage upon convergentmovement of the frames; a plurality of toggle linkages intercommeetingsaid frames at spaced intervals rearwardly of said front panel, saidlinkages and said front panel simultaneously expanding to alignedposition when said frames are moved to divergent position for use; abottom panel comprising two sections, each hinged to the lower edge of aside panel so as to fold upward against said frames, prior to collapsingmovement of said front panel and toggles, said bottom panel whenunfolded being supported by said toggles when the frames are moved todivergent position for use; and means for moving said front panel andsaid toggles between expanded aligned position and collapsed position,said means including means for releasably locking said front panel andtoggle linkages in expanded position for use.

11. A folding wheelbarrow comprising a wheel and axle; a pair ofbearings secured on the axle on opposite sides of and adjacent thewheel; a pair of side frames each including a side panel, a handle, asupporting leg and means securing the front of the frame to a bearing onsaid axle, said frames being pivotally movable about said bearings inconvergent and divergent directions in an axial plane of the wheel; afront panel having a central hinge and hinged to each of said sidepanels so as to collapse as a toggle linkage upon convergent movement ofthe frames; a plurality of toggle linkages interconnecting said framesat spaced intervals rerawardly of said front panel, said linkages andsaid front panel simultaneously expanding to aligned position when saidframes are moved to divergent position for use; a bottom panelcomprising two sections, each hinged to the lower edge of a side panelso as to fold upward against said frames, prior to collapsing movementof said front panel and toggles, said bottom panel when unfolded beingsupported by said toggles when the frames are moved to diver entposition for use; a rod secured at one end to the midpoint of the baseof said front panel, and slidably attached to said toggles at themidpoints thereof; means on said rod engaging said panel and saidtoggles to move the same toward collapsed position when the rod ispulled rearwardly on the wheelbarrow; and means on said rod for lockingsaid panel and toggles in expanded condition upon rotation of the rod inone direction, and releasing the panel and toggles for folding uponrotation of the rod in the opposite direction.

12. A folding wheelbarrow comprising a wheel and axle; a pair ofbearings mounted on the axle on opposite sides of the wheel, ach of saidbearings having a circumferential groove on its outer surface; a pair ofside frames, each including a side panel and, at its front end, abearingencircling portion loosely engaging the groove on a bearing tomaintain engagement of the latter with the side frame, but enablingpivotal movement of said frames about the bearings in convergent anddivergent directions in an axial plane of the wheel; a front panelhaving a central hinge, and hinged to each of said side panels so as tocollapse as a toggle linkage upon convergent movement of the frames; aplurality of toggle linkages interconnecting said frames at spacedintervals rearwardly of said front panel, said linkages and said frontpanel simultaneously expanding to aligned position when said frames aremoved to divergent position for use; a bottom panel comprising twosections, each hinged to the lower edge of a side panel so as to foldupward against said frames, prior to collapsing movement of said frontpanel and toggles, said bottom panel when unfolded being supported bysaid toggles when the side frames are moved to divergent position foruse; a rod secured at one end to the midpoint of the base of said frontpanel and slidably attached to said toggles at the midpoints thereof,having a handle at its rear end; lateral projections on said rodengaging said toggles for moving them together with said front paneltoward folded position when the rod is pulled rearwardly on thewheelbarrow; and means on said toggles alternately interlocking with andreleasing said projections upon rotation of the rod in oppositedirections through a predetermined angle, when the front panel andtoegles are in expanded condition.

JOHN J. TOTH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

